4225. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will review the criteria used to assess grant eligibility for mature students who reside with their parents but receive no financial support from them; whether consideration is being given to excluding parental income from the means test in such circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58976/26]

4226. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will review the criteria used to assess grant eligibility for mature students who reside with their parents, who are in receipt of the State pension; whether consideration is being given to excluding parental income from the means test in such circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58977/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 4225 and 4226 together.

The Student Grant Scheme, administered by SUSI, is governed by legislation and under the Scheme, grant eligibility is determined based on a range of criteria, including applicant classification, residency status and reckonable household income.

For student grants purposes, students are categorised according to their circumstances either as students dependent on parents or a legal guardian or as independent mature students.

The objective of the student grant scheme is to provide additional assistance where parental income is below a certain threshold or, in the case of independent mature students, where the level of income of the student and their spouse warrants additional assistance by way of a grant.

A candidate's reckonable income for the purposes of the student grant means test is gross income from all sources and the gross income of their parents or guardians, where applicable, with certain specified Department of Social Protection Payments being exempt. Grant assistance may not be awarded in any case where the reckonable income exceeds the prescribed income limits for the award of a grant.

A student may be assessed as an independent mature student if they have reached the age of 23 on the 1st of January of the year of first entry to an approved course or of re-entry following a break in studies of at least three years and are not ordinarily resident with their parents from the previous October. Otherwise, they would continue to be assessed on the basis of parental income.

In the situation outlined by the Deputy, given that the student, albeit a mature student, is ordinarily resident with their parents, they would be assessed on the basis of all parental income. Income thresholds and assessment criteria are applied consistently across all applicants in line with the legislative framework governing the Scheme.

I introduced a number of substantial measures to supports students with the cost of going to college in Budget 2026. These include the first permanent reduction in the Student Contribution fee of €500, as well as increases to all SUSI non-adjacent maintenance grant rates. I also increased the postgraduate fee contribution and the special rate of maintenance grant threshold. In addition to this, the income threshold for the €500 SUSI student contribution grant has increased €120,000.

In terms of other financial assistance available, students in third-level institutions experiencing exceptional financial need can apply for support under the Student Assistance Fund. This Fund assists students, in a sensitive and compassionate manner, who might otherwise be unable to continue their third level studies due to their financial circumstances. Details of this fund are available from the Access Office in the third level institution attended.